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Formulation Science Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MS with 3+ years or BS with 5+ years in formulation science, biochemistry, or related field * Hands-on experience developing lab-scale liquid formulations, with a proven track record of ...

Pay Rate Low: 27 | Pay Rate High: 30 Our client is a leader in contract manufacturing and integrated product development, formulation science, technical operations, packaging expertise, and in-house ...

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Formulation Scientist - Skin Care | R&D We are seeking an experienced Formulation Scientist - Skin Care to join our Research & Development team. This position is responsible for developing new ...

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Formulation Science information

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How much do formulation science jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for formulation science in the United States is $22.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $22.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is formulation science?

Formulation science is the discipline focused on combining different chemical substances to create products with specific properties and functions, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and household products. Formulation scientists work to ensure that the combination of ingredients is stable, effective, and safe for the intended use. They also optimize the physical, chemical, and sensory characteristics of the final product. This field is critical in industries where product performance and quality are essential to consumer safety and satisfaction.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals in formulation science, and how can they be addressed?

Formulation Science professionals often encounter challenges such as ensuring product stability, optimizing ingredient compatibility, and meeting strict regulatory requirements. Successfully addressing these issues requires strong problem-solving skills, close collaboration with analytical chemists, and diligent documentation. Regular testing and iterative reformulation are common, so adaptability and attention to detail are essential. Working in cross-functional teams with R&D, quality assurance, and manufacturing also helps mitigate challenges and ensures successful product development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a formulation scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Formulation Scientist, you need a strong background in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field, typically supported by at least a bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with analytical instruments, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and regulatory compliance (such as GMP or FDA guidelines) is essential. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help you innovate and collaborate efficiently on product development. These qualifications ensure the safe, effective, and regulatory-compliant creation of new products in industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or food science.

What is the difference between Formulation Science vs Pharmaceutical Chemist?

AspectFormulation SciencePharmaceutical Chemist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related fields
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, R&D departments, manufacturing facilitiesLaboratories, research centers, pharmaceutical companies
Industry UsageDesigning and developing drug formulations, improving delivery methodsDeveloping and analyzing chemical compounds, quality control

Formulation Science focuses on creating and optimizing drug delivery systems and formulations, while Pharmaceutical Chemists primarily develop and analyze chemical compounds used in medications. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often work in overlapping environments within the pharmaceutical industry, but their core responsibilities differ in focus and application.

How much do formulation scientists make in the US?

Formulation scientists in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $80,000 to $110,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level roles may start lower, while experienced professionals or those with specialized skills can earn higher salaries, often supplemented with benefits and bonuses.

What do formulation science professionals do?

Formulation science professionals develop and optimize the composition of products such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food items to ensure stability, efficacy, and safety. They use scientific principles, laboratory techniques, and tools like chromatography and spectroscopy to create effective formulations and often collaborate with research and development teams. Strong knowledge of chemistry, materials science, and regulatory standards is essential in this role.
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What cities are hiring for Formulation Science jobs?

Cities with the most Formulation Science job openings:

What states have the most Formulation Science jobs?

States with the most job openings for Formulation Science jobs include:

Infographic showing various Formulation Science job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 75% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,488 per year, or $22.8 per hour.

Senior Scientist, Formulation Science

Durham, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

SUMMARY

  • This is a drug delivery role inside the Formulation Sciences team. You'd own selection and advancement of the delivery system — prefilled syringe, autoinjector, or on-body — for a self-administered protein biologic.
  • Device and combination product experience is the requirement. Hands-on selecting and advancing a delivery system for a biologic, plus the regulatory work to take it into the clinic.
  • We'll coach the formulation side. Strong device background with lighter formulation depth is a trade we'll make.
  • Formulation development alone isn't a fit, and neither is device design engineering — we select and qualify systems, we don't build them.
  • About the Position

    As a Senior Scientist in Formulation Sciences, you will be an integral part of the formulation sciences team. This team is responsible for developing formulations for the clinical and commercial manufacturing of therapies. The position is also responsible for partnering with external companies to advance devices for self-administered delivery of our therapeutics to patients. The position will help interface with CDMOs specializing in drug product manufacturing operations to manufacture our drug in both vial and device form for delivery to clinical sites and eventually patients worldwide. This full-time, regular position will be located onsite in Durham, NC. The level and remuneration will be commiserate with experience.

    Summary of Key Responsibilities

    • Lead pre-formulation and formulation development activities for drug substance and drug product, including excipient screening, formulation optimization, and assessment of product quality attributes
    • Interface with external companies to screen, identify, qualify, manufacture and supply appropriate pre-filled syringe (PFS) systems, auto-injectors and on body drug delivery systems as appropriate
    • Design stability and forced degradation studies, author protocols, oversee execution at internal or external laboratories, and review data generated by third-party vendors
    • Develop and apply biophysical and analytical methods to characterize formulation performance, including assessments of aggregation, thermal stability, viscosity, particulate risk, and protein higher-order structure
    • Analyze samples and data, interpret results, and author or review technical reports that support formulation selection, process transfer, manufacturing readiness, and regulatory submissions
    • Identify and implement technologies that improve formulation development workflows, and support transfer of formulation and drug product processes into pilot plant, CDMO, and cGMP manufacturing environments
    • Evaluate container closure systems and delivery technologies for biologic drug products, including prefilled syringes, on-body delivery systems, syringeability, injectability, viscosity, dose compatibility, and particulate characterization
    • Generate internal and external technical documents that support manufacturing, development decisions, and CMC sections of regulatory filings
    • Lead or support drug product fill-finish development, scale-up, and transfer activities, as appropriate for program needs
    • Routine interaction with Analytical Development, Downstream Process Development, Pilot Plant, Clinical, Research, Quality, Regulatory, and external partners will be essential to success in this role.
    • The successful candidate will help train and mentor colleagues in formulation development, sample analysis, data interpretation, and GxP laboratory practices.
    • Development of liquid formulations for protein-based therapeutics (including high concentration development)
    • Collaboration with drug product CDMOs


    Required Qualifications

    The successful candidate will bring the following required qualifications:

    • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biological Sciences, or a related discipline with at least 1-3 years of formulation development experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, preferably with biopharmaceutical products, or, B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biological Sciences, or a related discipline with at least 5-8 years of formulation development experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, preferably with biopharmaceutical products.
    • Demonstrated experience developing formulations for protein therapeutics, including high concentration liquid presentations
    • Knowledge of forced degradation study design, stability protocol development, and interpretation of formulation-relevant stability data
    • Broad experience with analytical and biophysical instrumentation used in formulation development, such as spectrophotometers, DLS, DSC, FTIR, viscometers, particle counters, and other tools used to assess formulation stability and drug product performance
    • Experience in authoring technical reports
    • Demonstrated ability to bring in new technology and processes to improve formulation development
    • Experience using data analysis and statistical tools such as JMP or Minitab, including application of design of experiments approaches to formulation development
    • Understanding of relevant ICH, USP, Ph. Eur., FDA, and other applicable regulatory expectations for biopharmaceutical drug product development
    • Detailed knowledge of sterile fill-finish operations and scale-up, with the ability to lead development and transfer of fill-finish activities
    • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a laboratory environment
    • Experience contributing to CMC regulatory documents, including technical summaries, justifications, and responses to regulatory questions
    • Demonstrated knowledge of primary packaging materials used for sterile dosage forms, including considerations for compatibility, extractables and leachables, and container closure integrity
    • Ability to collaborate with and lead cross-disciplinary teams across multiple therapeutic areas and development stages
    • Experience developing high-concentration biologic formulations and evaluating viscosity, particulate formation, syringeability, injectability, and dose compatibility is strongly preferred
    • Experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and qualifying formulation-related laboratory equipment is preferred